WHAT A DAY IN THE LIFE OF A FRENCH BAKER LOOKS LIKE
The smell of the warm bread hits before the sun rises. The alarm rings so early that it feels like we are the ones waking the birds up. But it all is worth it when we get to see the big smiles on our client’s faces when they indulge in our creations. The day has barely begun for many but for a French baker we are already halfway there. We will not lie, it is difficult to wake up in the morning, but the thought of the risen dough and the croissants pounding gets our hands moving and grooving. We get up, get our baker’s hat on, and head straight into the kitchen to craft magic. We have learned that magic is crafted when everyone else is asleep and you are giving it your all to get that baking started. We want to have your croissants ready in time you leave for work. After us, the ovens wake up and then we get started with preparing the dough and getting everything sorted. The oven heats up in the meantime and we prepare a checklist. Whatever needs to be done and how many pastries are to be made. The list usually remains the same unless we have a special item for the day. We like to introduce something new every now and then so that the customers can keep getting a new flavor of France. Getting back to the dough’s that have risen to heaven’s fluffiness by the morning are divided and placed on trays. They are now ready to turn into baguettes or scrumptious loaves. By morning the bakery will start smelling like home. The next on the task list is the fan favorites - croissants. They take days to prepare with every layer folded with butter and love. They are then ready to be brushed with the egg and the baker does it gently, trying not to deflate them and maintain the fluffiness. The croissants go in the oven and while they are getting baked, we get the bakery up and running. The tables are set, anything that needs to be refilled is sorted and we open our doors.
The amazing smell from the kitchen rushes to the street outside. Some people slow down as it transports them to France. A few walk in and get their hands on the best French breads and desserts early in the morning. The bakery begins to fill and the orders start coming in. We serve everything with love transported all the way from France.
As the day moves towards the afternoon the rush slows down and we have time to give the bakery a quick clean up. While cleaning up too we make sure that the dough for the next day gets started too. We bakers do not know how to rest at all. Being on our toes all day long to serve our lovely customers is what we love. So what are you waiting for? Come visit Madeline and take a piece of France with you.